Adjustable split door frame

ABSTRACT

A frame for erecting around a door which is split to accommodate different wall thicknesses. A pair of opposed brackets are slidably mounted to a plate positioned adjacent the end of the wall. A pair of door jamb channels have outer ends sandwiched between the wall and the outer ends of the brackets. The inner ends of the brackets are forced and locked together to secure the channels to the wall. The inner ends of the channels project into a rail which is secured to a member located between the channels and brackets.

1451 Feb.26,1974

[ 1 ADJUSTABLE SPLIT DOOR FRAME [76] Inventor: John H. Collins, 3651Forest Manor, Indianapolis, Ind. 46218 Filed: June 7, 1972 Appl. No.:260,444

[52] US. Cl 52/211, 52/214, 52/217 [51] Int. C1 E06b 1/20 [58] FieldofSearch..... 52/212, 213, 21 4, 217, 211; 49/505 [56] References CitedUNITED STATES PATENTS 3,119,155 1/1964 Schlegel 49/505 X 2,582,7651/1952 Brew 52/212 1,063,517 6/1913 Ellis 52/212 3,364,624 1/1968 Davis52/213 X 899,259 9/1908 Ohnstrand 52/212 3,570,203 3/1971 Williams....52/217 1,321,610 11/1919 Emrich ..52/212 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS68,101 1/1951 Netherlands 52/212 9/1969 Germany 52/217 7/1931 GreatBritain 52/212 Primary Examiner-Henry 'C. Sutherland AssistantExaminerLeslie A. Braun Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Woodard, Weikart,Emhardt & Naughton [57] ABSTRACT A frame for erecting around a doorwhich is split to accommodate different wall thicknesses. A pair ofopposed brackets are slidably mounted to a plate positioned adjacent theend of the wall. A pair of door jamb channels have outer ends sandwichedbetween the wall and the outer ends of the brackets. The inner ends ofthe brackets are forced and locked together to secure the channels tothe wall. The inner ends of the channels project into a rail which issecured to a member located between the channels and brackets.

2 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures I ADJUSTABLE SPLIT DOOR FRAME BACKGROUND OFINVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention is in the field ofadjustable door frames.

2. Description of thePrior Art Door frames are typically extruded to fita predetermined thickness of wall. Since walls vary considerably inthickness, a variety of different sized and configured door frames mustbe produced and stocked. It can therefore be appreciated that there is aneed for a door frame which will quickly and easily fit a variety ofwalls having different thicknesses. In addition, the adjustable doorframe should be easily erectable. Arepresentative sample of the priorart is disclosed in the following U. S. Pat. Nos.

3,224,533 issued to A. F. Nystrom;

3,250,049 issued to S. Sklar;

3,436,884 issued to .I. H. Bell et al.; and

3,537,222 issued to R. P. Lickliter et al.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One embodiment of the present invention is anadjustable split door frame mountable to a first wall comprising a pairof opposed brackets having inner adjacent flanges connected and movabletogether and outer flanges positionable on opposite sides and adjacentthe wall, first means connecting the inner flanges together and operabletovary the distance between the inner flanges and between the outerflanges, a pair of channels having a pair of mutually opposed inner endsand havingouter ends positionable on opposite sides of the walleachsandwiched between one of the outer flanges and the wall, a membermounted between the channels and the brackets, a rail adjacent thechannels with the innerends of the channels projectinginto the rail, and

second means connecting the rail and the member together to preventrelative motion between the rail and the channels.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improveddoor frame.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide anadjustable'door frame which will fit walls having a variety of differentthicknesses.

In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide anadjustable door frame which is' easily and quickly erectable.

Related objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of adoor frame incor- DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMODIMENT For thepurposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of theinvention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated inthe drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. Itwill nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of theinvention is thereby intended, such alterations and furthermodifications in the illustrated device, and such further applicationsof the principles of the invention as illustrated therein beingcontemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to whichthe invention relates.

Referring now more particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown an adjustablesplit door frame 10 mounted to wall 11 which includes a pair of opposedbrackets 12 and 13 which are slidably mounted to a wall 14 positionedagainst the edge 15 of wall 11. Wall 14 includes a pair of rivets 16 and17 which project freely through slots respectively in brackets 12and1'3. Brackets l2 and 13 have respectively inner adjacent flanges l8 and19 which are connected and movable together by clamp 20. Brackets l2 and13 also have respectively a pair of outer flanges 21 and 22 positionableon opposite sides of and adjacent wall 11.

A pair of channels 23 and 24 have a pair of mutually opposed inner ends25 and 26 and a pair of outer ends 27 and 28 which are positionable onopposite sides of the wall 11. Outer ends 27 and 28 are respectivelysandwiched between flanges 21 and 22 and wall 11.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 22 of FIG. 1 andviewed in the direction of the arrows. The inner flanges 18 and 19 ofbrackets 12 and 13 diverge from the top edge of the brackets towards thebottom edge of the brackets as viewed in FIG. 2. Flanges l8 and 19 areturned outwardly forming a pair of diverging channels 29 and 30 (FIG.I). Clamp 20 is wedge-shaped and has a pair of inwardly turned edgeportions 31 and 32 which are respectively slidingly received by channels29 and 30. Thus, by forcing clamp 29 in the direction of arrow 33 (FIG.2), flanges l8 and 19 are caused to move closer together and in additionthe outer flanges 21 and 22 are caused to move closer together therebysandwiching the outer ends of channels 23 and 24 between the bracketsand wall. A fastener 34' is threadedly mounted to clamp 20 and ismovable against wall 14 so as to prevent relative motion between clamp20 and wall 14 and thereby secure brackets 12 and 13 to wall 11. Clamp20 is operable to vary the distance between the inner flanges andbetween the outer flanges of brackets 12 and 13.

A pin 34 is securedto end 26 of channel 24 by suitable fastening meanssuch as by a weld. A rigid member 35 ismounted between channels 23 and24 and brackets 12 and 13. The mounting of member'35 is accomplished byextending pin 34 through the member and into a spring fastener 36 on thereverse side of member 35. Therefore, member 35 is prevented from movingin the direction of arrow 37.

Element 38 is fixedly secured to end 25 of flange 23' by means such asby a weld. Bracket 38 includes a recess 39 (FIG. 3) through which member35 is positioned. Member 38 prevents member 35 from moving. Ends 25 and26 extend into a rail 40 which is positioned against and adjacentchannels 23 and 24. Rail 40 includes a back up plate 41 through'whichthreaded fastener 42 projects. Fastener 42 extends through the rail andis threadedly received by member 35 so as-to connect the rail and membertogether and to prevent relative motion between the rail and channels 23and 24.

Referring to FIG. 2, it will be noted that wall 14 has a lower edgeportion 43 which extends against the lower edge of brackets 12 and 13thereby preventing pivotal motion of the brackets with respect to rivetsl6 and 17. Referring to FIG. 1, channel 24 and rail 40 provide surfaces44 and 45 for receiving the door.

Many variations of the present invention are contemplated and includedherein. For example, in lieu of a wedge-shaped clamp, a threaded boltmay be utilized to secure the inner ends of brackets 12 and 13. Inaddition, member 35 may be fastened directly to channel 24 by welds inlieu of utilizing pin 34. Likewise, the channels may be secured to thebrackets by means such as welding. It is anticipated that best resultswill be obtained by making the frame disclosed herein from material suchas steel. Likewise, it is anticipated that a plurality of brackets 12and 13 and clamps 20 will be utilized along the length of the frame. Forexample, on a typical door frame, three clamps may be utilized on thevertical edge of each side of the door with two of the clamps beingutilized on the horizontal top edge of the door. An obvious advantage ofthe subject invention is that the frame will fit on a-variety ofdifferent sized walls. Therefore, the frame can be produced in a largequantity at low cost since the frame will fit a variety of walls havingdifferent thicknesses.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in thedrawings and foregoing descrip-- tion, the same is to be considered asillustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood thatonly the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that allchanges and modifications that come within the spirit of the inventionare desired to be protected.

The invention claimed is:

1. An adjustable split door frame mountable to a first wall comprising:

a pair of opposed brackets having inner adjacent flanges connected andmovable together and outer flanges positionable on opposite sides andadjacent said wall;

first means connecting said inner flanges together and operable to varythe distance between said inner flanges and between said outer flanges;

a pair of channels having a pair of mutually opposed inner ends andhaving outer ends positionable on opposite sides of said wall eachsandwiched between one of said outer flanges and said wall;

a member mounted between said channels and said brackets;

a rail adjacent said channels with said inner ends of said channelsprojecting into said rail; and,

second means connecting said rail and said member together to preventrelative motion between said rail and said channels;

a pin fixedly mounted to one of said channels and extending through andsecured to said member;

an element fixedly secured on the other of said channels and having arecess in which said member is positioned;

a threaded fastener extending through said rail and threadedly receivedby said member preventing relative motion between said member and saidrail;

said inner adjacent flanges diverge and are turned outwardly forming apair of diverging channels; and,

said first means includes a wedge-shaped clamp with inwardly turned edgeportions slidingly received by said channels;

a second wall having said brackets slidably mounted thereon; and,

a fastener threadedly'mounted to said clamp and movable against saidsecond wall preventing relative motion between said clamp and saidsecond wall; and wherein:

said second wall includes a pair of rivets mounted thereon which projectfreely through slots on said brackets.

2. An adjustable split door frame mountable to a first wall comprising:

a pair of opposed brackets having inner adjacent flanges connected andmovable together and outer flanges positionable on opposite sides andadjacent said wall;

first means connecting said inner flanges together and operable to varythe distance between said inner flanges and between said outer flanges;

a pair of channels having a pair of mutually opposed inner ends andhaving outer ends positionable on opposite sides of said wall eachsandwiched between one of said outer flanges and said wall;

a member mounted between said channels and said brackets;

a rail adjacent said channels with said inner ends of said channelsprojecting into said rail; and,

second means connecting said rail and said member together to preventrelative motion between said rail and said channels;

a pin fixedly mounted to one of said channels and extending through andsecured to said member; and,

an element fixedly secured on the other of said channels and having arecess in which said member is positioned;

a threaded fastener extending through said rail and threadedly receivedby said member preventing relative motion between said member and saidrail;

said inner adjacent flanges diverge and are turned outwardly forming apair of diverging channels; and,

said first means includes a wedge-shaped clamp with inwardly turned edgeportions slidingly received by said channels;

a second wall having said brackets slidably mounted thereon; and,

means mounted to said clamp and movable against said wall operable toprevent relative motion between said clamp and said second wall; andwherein:

said second wall includes further means thereon which projects freelythrough slots on said brack- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE v CERTIFICATEOF CORRECTION PatentNo- 3,793,788 Dated- February 26. 1974 inventor(s) IIt is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent andthat said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown'below:

In column 2, line 36, before the word "in" please change "29" to -20--Signed and sealed this 18th day of Julie 1974.

(SEAL) Attes't: e

EDWARD MIFL ETCHER JR'. C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissionerof Patents uscomM-ogpdsvs-pes Q UIS. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OF FICE :"I9690-366-334 FORM Po-1o so (10-69)

1. An adjustable split door frame mountable to a first wall comprising:a pair of opposed brackets having inner adjacent flanges connected andmovable together and outer flanges positionable on opposite sides andadjacent said wall; first means connecting said inner flanges togetherand operable to vary the distance between said inner flanges and betweensaid outer flanges; a pair of channels having a pair of mutually opposedinner ends and having outer ends positionable on opposite sides of saidwall each sandwiched between one of said outer flanges and said wall; amember mounted between said channels and said brackets; a rail adjacentsaid channels with said inner ends of said channels projecting into saidrail; and, second means connecting said rail and said member together toprevent relative motion between said rail and said channels; a pinfixedly mounted to one of said channels and extending through andsecured to said member; an element fixedly secured on the other of saidchannels and having a recess in which said member is positioned; athreaded fastener extending through said rail and threadedly received bysaid member preventing relative motion between said member and saidrail; said inner adjacent flanges diverge and are turned outwardlyforming a pair of diverging channels; and, said first means includes awedge-shaped clamp with inwardly turned edge portions slidingly receivedby said channels; a second wall having said brackets slidably mountedthereon; and, a fastener threadedly mounted to said clamp and movableagainst said second wall preventing relative motion between said clampand said second wall; and wherein: said second wall includes a pair ofrivets mounted thereon which project freely through slots on saidbrackets.
 2. An adjustable split door frame mountable to a first wallcomprising: a pair of opposed brackets having inner adjacent flangesconnected and movable together and outer flanges positionable onopposite sides and adjacent said wall; first means connecting said innerflanges together and operable to vary the distance between said innerflanges and between said outer flanges; a pair of channels having a pairof mutually opposed inner ends and having outer ends positionable onopposite sides of said wall each sandwiched between one of said outerflanges and said wall; a member mounted between said channels and saidbrackets; a rail adjacent said channels with said inner ends of saidchannels projecting into said rail; and, second means connecting saidrail and said mEmber together to prevent relative motion between saidrail and said channels; a pin fixedly mounted to one of said channelsand extending through and secured to said member; and, an elementfixedly secured on the other of said channels and having a recess inwhich said member is positioned; a threaded fastener extending throughsaid rail and threadedly received by said member preventing relativemotion between said member and said rail; said inner adjacent flangesdiverge and are turned outwardly forming a pair of diverging channels;and, said first means includes a wedge-shaped clamp with inwardly turnededge portions slidingly received by said channels; a second wall havingsaid brackets slidably mounted thereon; and, means mounted to said clampand movable against said wall operable to prevent relative motionbetween said clamp and said second wall; and wherein: said second wallincludes further means thereon which projects freely through slots onsaid brackets.